U-M fans pack Crisler Center, Ann Arbor bars as game starts

9:13 PM, April 8, 2013

Matt Kanterman, right, and his girlfriend Nicole Sweet get fired up with the rest of the Maize Rage section at the University of Michigan's Crisler Center during Monday night. / Lon Horwedel/Special to the Free Press

Detroit Free Press Education Writer

They wore their Maize and Blue. Hollered “Go Blue” at everyone walking by and got ready to party.

As game time approached the home arena of the basketball team was rocking as they awaited tipoff.

Cheerleaders were on the floor. The band played.

The crowd chanted, “It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine.”

“This is amazing,” said Tim Miles, 20, a sophomore from Detroit. “It’s so much fun. We’re going to win and we’re going to go all night long.”

As the big scoreboard lit up with CBS’s pregame show, the crowd let a roar.

“This is the best team I’ve seen here in years,” said Terri Looks, 53, of Ann Arbor. “It’s so much fun to see everyone loving Michigan basketball.”

The entire lower bowl of the stadium was full. Every section in the upper deck was at least half-full. The crowd did the wave. They danced to music. They cheered with cheerleaders. They were in full throat 45 minutes before the game began.

The first appearance of Mitch McGary on the scoreboard drew thunderous applause and a loud screech, as did every appearance of a Michigan Wolverine player. Louisville players were greeted boos.

“I can’t wait for the game to start,” said Eric Walters, 21, a junior from Mount Pleasant. “I’ve been ready for it since Saturday night.”

The scene was similar across Ann Arbor. Bars around campus had lines hours before tipoff with patrons waiting for key tables with good views of televisions.